1/27-1/29 - Blake Theater Performances
1/30 - All Chorus Extravaganza
2/3 - Term 2 Interim Reports go Home
2/6 - Blake Site Council Mtg (3:30 p.m.)
2/7 - 1/2 Day for Students
Professional Afternoon for Staff
2/14 - Happy Valentine's Day!
2/15 - Strings SIDE Concert
2/20-2/24 - February Vacation
3/1 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
3/9 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
3/16 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Information Night (6:30 p.m.)
Topic/Question for the Dinner Table
To help encourage conversations and dialogue about opening up, listening, and sharing with one another, our topic/question for the dinner table is: What are your hopes for the future? Asking and Listening (Week of 1/22/17) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Sam Kuhnert - Assembly for Students and Community
Blake students will have the wonderful opportunity to meet Sam Kuhnert and hear his motivating and inspiring story. Sam was born with one hand and is a motivational speaker, coach, and sports enthusiast. He is the founder of NumbAbility Athletics Foundation & Camp. For more background information, please check out these links...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvBLUMaXwg
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kfPOtiQ7o-c
www.SamKuhnert.com
Blake Theater Announcements
Next week, Blake Theater presents its first of two theater events for 2017. Next Friday (1/27) - Sunday (1/29) the students will be performing not one but TWO shows for you. Our shows are about friendship, being yourself and being understanding of others. Part one of A Night of Blake Theater is It's a Sign, a show with music written for Blake by a senior at Carnegie Mellon. The second half of the evening is a play written in response to the Columbine shootings, showing that students kids of all types can be a community, especially through the lens of a Yearbook (the name of the show). Showtimes for Friday and Saturday are at 7 p.m. Sunday's show is at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online at anightofblaketheater.brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Hope to see everyone there!
Reminder for All Families
Students should not be bringing coffee or outside beverages (beyond water) in school to start the school day. Students should finish their beverages and toss out their cups before heading to first period.
Term 2 Interim Reports
Next Friday students will be bringing home their interim reports for the second term. They will be spending time in their advisories reflecting upon the work they have accomplished thus far, and setting healthy/measured goals for the second half of the term. Our hope is that this communication tool will give you an update on the progress your child is making in school. If you have any questions about your child's work or the reports, please start by having a conversation with your own child. If questions still exist, you should contact the teacher directly to gain more insight.
Blood Drive Wrapup
I want to once again thank and recognize Cynthia for her leadership with the Day of Service and blood drive. It was wonderful having all of the students and staff who came helping out on their day off from school. For the blood drive, 66 units of blood were collected - our best year yet!
School Survey
The Blake Site Council has taken time to review the data collected from last year's survey and an Executive Summary will be distributed to families in the coming weeks. Focus areas on the survey centered on the topics of school culture, academic workloads, stress, and habits. Our intent is to distribute the 2015-2016 survey in early February in the hopes of gathering the data by February vacation. Stay tuned!
Tri-County Interview Information for 8th Grade Families
On February 8th, Tri County will be hosting their interviews for applicants. The interviews are approximately 15-20 minutes. Sample questions can be found here http://www.tri-county.us/node/271. The purpose of the interview is to clarify the student’s reason for attending Tri-County, choice of program areas, career goals, interests and motivation. In the case of student absence on the interview day, or in the case of a late applicant, the interview schedule will be mutually agreed upon between the Director of Guidance and the student’s counselor and/or parent(s)/guardian.
Come Join the Blake Math League Club!
The New England Math League promotes the enjoyment and study of mathematics by organizing contests for grades 4-12. Contests serve as an enrichment to their current math program. Blake Middle School is holding the first annual math contests for students in grades 6-8. All Blake students are welcome to participate. Participation is easy. There are 2 practice meetings plus a contest date for each grade level:
Practice Dates:
Monday, January 23rd
Monday, February 13th
Dates of Contests:
For gr 6, 7 and 8 contests: Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 2016 - 2:30-3:30 in room 108
For Algebra I contest: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - 2:30-3:00 in room 108
Algebra I test open to all students but strongly recommended for gr 8 students.
Cost for the practice dates and 1 contest date: $18
Cost for the practice dates and 2 contest dates: $24
Please make check payable to 'Blake Middle School'.
To register you must fill out this google form and submit the check and indemnity form to the main office.
Can't make it to the practices? No worries, you can still participate in the contest. Just contact Mrs. McLaughlin ([email protected]) or Mrs. Bycoff ([email protected]).
Blake Science Fair
The Blake Middle School Science Fair will be held on Friday March 10th. Come show your enthusiasm for science by participating in this event. Sign up sheets are available in your advisory classrooms. Come to the information session on January 30th after school in the cafeteria. All are welcome to participate!
Parent Information Nights - Mark Your Calendars!
3/1 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming sixth grade (current fifth grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 6th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year along with an overview of the middle school. A more detailed presentation about the logistics of the 2016-2017 academic year's iPad Initiative will take place during this evening as well.
3/9 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming eighth grade (current seventh grade) students. We will be presenting information about the 8th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year.
3/16 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m.
This night is for all parents/guardians of incoming seventh grade (current sixth grade) students. We will be sharing information about the 7th grade program of studies and curriculum, previewing the students' experience that they will have next year. We will also be presenting information about the 7th grade's field trip to Nature's Classroom.
8th Grade Families - Save the Date!
March 2, 1017 at 6:30 p.m.
High School Auditorium
Please join members of the high school faculty as they present an overview of the Medfield High School academic curriculum. Additional information will be sent home as the date becomes closer. If you have any questions prior to the event, please contact Heather Mandosa, Assistant Principal at [email protected] or Stephanie Worthley, Guidance Content Specialist at [email protected] or call the high school at (508) 359-4367.
Substitute Applications
Blake is always looking for substitute teacher applicants. Applicants need not have teaching licensure but should be energetic, flexible and enjoy working with children. For more information or to apply, please visit medfield.net and find applications under the tab "employment opportunities", the. Professional Staff Openings. Please contact Kelly Campbell at [email protected] with any questions.
Book Discussion Group for Parents
The next Blake Site Council/Blake community book is The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik. We will be discussing the introduction and parts 1-3 (about 85 pages of reading) at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 6. Hope you can join!
Project 351
I am thrilled to announce that Sarah Boyd, one of our eighth grade students, has been selected as Medfield's ambassador for Project 351. Project 351 is a statewide community service project that brings an eighth grader from all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth together on one single day to perform a service project. Ambassadors should embody the ethic of service and associated values -- humility, integrity, compassion, commitment, and generosity of spirit. In essence, Project 351 celebrates and encourages students' leadership and commitment to others. We are proud and honored that Sarah will be representing Blake and the community of Medfield.
Message from Blake PTO
GRANTS FUNDED A Roman Army presentation for 7th grade Social Studies students in the amount of $725. Students will learn directly from a Roman soldier, dress the part themselves and examine scale models of siege weapons used by the Romans. They will also learn about the daily life of a Roman soldier. History Antiqua will be performing on Tuesday, May 2nd. Blake PTO has also funded Shakespeare Now! Midsummer Night’s Dream performance for the 6th grade English students in the amount of $1,160. Following the hour long performance, students will have a Q & A session with the actors.
TOWN WIDE BOX TOPS CONTEST Memorial, Wheelock, Dale Street and Blake Middle School…Which school will win by bringing in the most Box Tops before March 31st? The school that brings in the most Box Tops will win a special prize for the entire school. Please start cutting out your Box Tops and bringing them to school. Please contact Jane Barr mailto:[email protected] with any questions. Let the competition begin!
NEW YEAR….NEW EMAIL ADDRESS Our email address has changed to www.medfieldk8pto.com. Make sure you don't miss out on important posts sent throughout the week. Please LIKE us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO and follow us on Twitter @MedfieldK8PTO.
Message from MCPE
Do you know that the Medfield Coalition for Public Education awarded over $100,000 in grants in the first half of our fiscal year? The need is great, and we want you to have a great time fulfilling it. Here are a few ways you can support your children and our schools in the next two weeks:
Treasured Experiences is back and better than ever!
The MCPE Treasured Experiences auction begins on Monday January 30th, and runs for 5 days only through Friday, February 3! Over a hundred gifts of time and value have been donated to the Auction by our schools' staff in support of our common goal- making the Medfield Public Schools the best they can be! Many items up to bid for the Blake Community, including a study session at Starbucks with Mr. Vaughn and VIP seats for Blake graduation. Auction preview begins on Wednesday 1/25 atwww.medfieldcoalition.org.
Super Bowl Sunday E4E at Nosh and Grog!
Looking for a fun and easy option for Super Bowl Sunday? Nosh and Grog is throwing an E4E in support of the MCPE! The party starts at 4:30 p.m. on Feb 5, and doesn't end until the MVP leaves the stadium. $10 pp admission buys you a square on the Super Bowl grid and an appetizer. Get your friends together and leave your buffalo chicken dip recipe at home- this one will sell out fast! Tickets available at www.noshandgrog.com.